Meet The Coachella Valley Hotel With Its Own Waterpark

When we were writing about Palm Springs all last week, we were trying to stick to hotels in Palm Springs itself. But as well as the 10 in town that we already mentioned, there’s another desert pool that deserves a mention: that of the Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage.
We say pool – but actually, it’s a waterpark. Yes, a hotel with its own waterpark. Splashtopia Water Playground is 2 acres of family-friendliness, with a sandy beach, 100-foot waterslides, a 450ft ‘lazy river’ (traversable by inner tube), a ‘cliffside’ Jacuzzi, water play zones with sprinklers and fountains, as well as an adults-only pool, Azure. As if that wasn’t enough, they also have ‘dive-in movies’ every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, featuring animated family-friendly films, like Frozen and Despicable Me 2.

One good or bad thing depending on what kind of poolside experience you’re after – it’s "conservative swimwear only" because of the “family environment”. (If you want to dress like this, go to the Riviera or the Hard Rock in Palm Springs.) You have to wear a wristband (ugly) but at least entry is kept strictly to resort guests only.
Rates at the Omni start at a very reasonable (nay, insanely good) $119 this summer. Plus the obligatory $28 resort fee (#sigh #youcan'thaveeverything #pleaseletresortfeesbethenewwififees).

Azure, the adult pool
[Photos: Omni Rancho Las Palmas Facebook]